Spring Lemon Loaf

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (180 °C) (175°C (350 °F)).

2. 2

   In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 stick of melted butter, 4 eggs, a dash of vanilla extract, 1/2 cup applesauce, and 1/2 cup mayonnaise. Blend these wet ingredients together until smooth.

3. 3

   Zest one entire lemon into the mixture. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice of one half into the bowl.

4. 4

   Add one box of lemon pudding mix and one box of Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme cake mix to the wet ingredients. Mix until fully combined and the batter is smooth.

5. 5

   Pour the batter into loaf tins. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes.

   Start 35-minute timer
6. 6

   While the loaves are baking, prepare the simple syrup. Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil on the stove for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

   Start 5-minute timer
7. 7

   Once the cakes are finished baking and are still 'popping hot', spoon the simple syrup over the top of the loaves, allowing the hot cake to soak up the liquid.

8. 8

   Prepare the glaze by combining 2 cups of powdered sugar with roughly 1 to 3 tablespoons of orange juice. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more until you reach a smooth, pourable consistency.

9. 9

   Allow the cakes to cool completely before drizzling the orange juice glaze over the top.